Muriel Ruth McDonald

Muriel graduated from Florida State University and received Masters Degrees from University of Kentucky and UTSA. Committed to the World War II effort, she left Northwestern University to join Special Services, where she was a Club Director for far-from-home servicemen and women in Germany. This is where she met and married her husband-- then Captain Thomas Joseph McDonald, Jr. of San Antonio-- a dashing and highly decorated tank battalion commander (her wedding limousine was a US Army tank!) Muriel raised six fine and accomplished children while married to a career Army Officer who served in three wars. Amazingly, she returned to college and earned three degrees while raising six children, underlining her commitment to education.

Muriel was, above all, an immensely passionate and dedicated TEACHER. She taught for over 30 years at all levels of education including, as a Nursery School Principal in Panama, Ft Knox HS (KY), The Lexington School ( KY), Florida State University, The University of Kentucky, Transylvania College, The University of Virginia, Purdue University and for sixteen years at Roosevelt and then Churchill HS in San Antonio (where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1986). She loved teaching HS French and Spanish locally while Sponsoring the French Club and Honor Society, and was renown for leading summertime Student trips to Europe. After retiring, Muriel became the first NEISD teacher elected to the NEISD school Board. After serving two terms, she proudly served on the ACE Academy Corporate Council as a founding member. She also loved sports and was a die-hard Chicago Cubs and San Antonio Spurs fan.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Col. Thomas Joseph McDonald Jr., her son, Thomas J. McDonald III, her grandson Christopher Thomas Stolhandske and her brother Arthur Wiselogel. She is survived by her daughters Kathie Gurgle and husband John of Columbus, Ohio and Mary Jean Stolhandske and husband Matt of San Antonio, TX and sons Jim McDonald and wife Pam of Austin, TX, Bill McDonald and wife Jane of Denver, CO and Brian McDonald and wife Linda of Flower Mound, TX. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Porter Loring Funeral Home, 2102 N. Loop 1604 E., Friday, November 28th, at 2pm. The burial will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Monday December 1st at 9 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nimitz Middle School (for their beautification project), 5426 Blanco Rd. SAT 78216.